Thursday, October 30, 2014

Ladies Perfect Pattern Parcel--Julia Cardigan

When I saw the patterns in the Ladies Pattern Parcel, I was super excited!
I had been eyeing the Hudson Pants for quite some time--they'll be perfect for the cold, cold winters we have. I'll be a little more ready for the -35/-40 degree Celsius weather we have up here.
The Bronte Top was also on my list to sew when I saw it--a perfect layering top!
And, then the Julia. I already had the Julia but I love it, and had fabric put away to make one.
 
 
Since I didn't have time to sew up all of the ones I wanted, I sewed up the one I had the fabric for, and which had been on my to-sew list for a while--the Julia!
The white knit is from the thrift shop, and I knew it'd be perfect to winterize some of my dresses.

 
I chose to layer it over this dress for the pictures, but I have a number of other dresses it would work with as well (here and here.)
The cardigan I made has 3/4 length sleeves, and I love that length!
It's comfy, and makes a sleeveless dress a LOT warmer.

 
Now, I just need a coat.
Ha! I was quite cold taking these pictures--it's about 4 degrees Celsius out here and windy!
 Brrrr...

 
 Make sure to hop over and get your parcel!
It's a great deal, with some very fun patterns included.
 
Pattern Parcel #6: Choose your own price and support DonorsChoose. Win/win

Pattern Parcel #6: Choose your own price and support DonorsChoose. Win/win

Pattern Parcel #6: Choose your own price and support DonorsChoose. Win/win

Parcel #6 includes: 

Syrah Skirt by Lauren Dahl (exclusive release!)
Bronte Top by Jennifer Lauren
Julia Cardigan by Mouse House Creations
Hudson Pant by True Bias
Zsalya Dress by Kate and Rose
BONUS PATTERN: Odette Dress by Bluegingerdoll

Bonus Pattern:
Choose a price of $32 or greater for Parcel #6 and you will automatically also be sent the Bonus Pattern! That's only $5 a pattern. The Bonus Pattern for this Parcel is the Odette Dress by Bluegingerdoll. Vintage inspired silhouette is had two flattering necklines and a gorgeous skirt.  The Odette Dress pattern goes from a size 4 through a 24!

How Pattern Parcel Works:
Here at Perfect Pattern Parcel, we believe in supporting independent pattern designers. It’s our opinion that indie patterns are just, well, better than big box patterns, and we’re pretty sure our customers think so too. So, we allow customers to show their support in naming their own price for each Parcel.  We also encourage customers to allocate part of their Parcel price to the charity Donorschoose.org in order to help classrooms in need. Pattern Parcel donates all profits after expenses from Parcel sales to the charity as well. Together we've raised over $12,000 for classrooms in need!

Friday, October 24, 2014

Go-To Leggings

To make my daughter's Sunday dress winter appropriate, we needed some leggings.
 
 
Of course, I turn to the Go-To Leggings, (affiliate link) which I always turn to.
I used some of the Riley Blake knits I had left over from the Greenstyle Blog Tour.
I had just enough to squeeze out a shortened pair of size 5 leggings.
1/2 yard is not quite tall enough.
 
 
But, they work great for in her boots, and they're super soft!
So, another KCW finish.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Skinnies and a Bimaa

It's KCW and I wasn't really planning on sewing along, but thought I'd pop in with a couple things!
My oldest son needed a Sunday outfit for fall and winter. 
 
 
I used the Bimaa for the top, and let him pick which collar option he wanted.
I used a ponte de roma knit for the main (from Girl Charlee (referral link)) and a knit from Fabricland for the collar and cuffs.
 

For the jeans, I used Peek-a-Boo's Skinny Jeans (affiliate link) in a nice denim from Canadian National Fabric. 

 
I sized up, thinking he'd need it with a non-stretch fabric.
I shouldn't have--it's a little saggy in the butt.
But, they'll be warmer than his linen pants for the upcoming winter, so we're all good. 

 
As a side note--I lost my camera cord during this last picture, and I could NOT find it in the leaves.
I enlisted all the kids and told them they'd get $2 if they found it.
My oldest found it and was quite pleased to add $2 to his piggy bank.
I was quite pleased to have my camera cord back (and I reminded myself to CLOSE THE CAMERA BAG!!!) Ha!
 



Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Greenstyle Blog Tour

(I received the patterns and fabrics for free but all opinions are my own!)
 
And....now....the Greenstyle Blog Tour!
I had signed up to join in and was thrilled when I learned after signing up that we could choose our fabric from Riley Blake Designs and they'd send it over for free!
 
 
 
I chose to make the Amy Skirt, the Lemon Drop Skirt, and after finding out the Study Hall Shirt had sizing only from tween to adult, I chose the Easy Options T-Shirt.
Now the most difficult part came in--choosing fabric!
For the first outfit--the Amy Skirt and an Easy Option T-Shirt, I chose the Small Dot Navy Knit, Knit Solid Yellow and Medium Gingham Green Woven.
 
 
Both are sewn in size 4.
The Amy Skirt is a super quick and easy sew--I love it!

 
When my daughter first tried it on for hemming, she gushed over how soft it was.
And, the Riley Blake knits are truly very soft and as an added bonus, super easy to sew up.

 
The only modifications I made was to add a woven flower applique with buttons and woven cuffs.
I basically traced the lower part of the cuff and cut them out of the woven. Sewed the sides together and sewed them with the right side of the woven against the wrong side of the sleeve with a 1/4" seam allowance. Then, I turned the raw edge over by 1/4" and topstitched that down after pressing the cuff up. Super quick and easy but it gives a whole new look.

 
My daughter loves the fact that it reaches her feet--'it's like a dress, Mommy!'

 
For the Lemon Drop Skirt and Easy Options T-Shirt, I chose Hot Pink Solid Knit, Gray Solid Knit, and Fancy Bikes Teal Woven, Fancy Floral Pink Woven, and Snapshots Family Gray Woven.

 
For this Easy Options T-shirt, I used both the long and short sleeves to make a layered look.

 
I first hemmed the short sleeve and then sandwiched both sleeves against the bodice and stitched them all on in one pass.
Then the under-arm and side seam was stitched again all in one pass--with the short sleeve sandwiched between the long sleeve.

 
The Lemon Drop Skirt, I made exactly according to the pattern though I left off the optional pockets.
I love that the waistband doesn't look super gathered or scrunched from the elastic.
It's short enough that it is only tightened a little with the elastic.

 
 
Make sure to enter the great giveaway!
 

And, Greenstyle Creations is offering a 25% discount off their patterns with the code "25discount" during the tour, so be sure to hop over and snatch up some great patterns.
 
  Greenstyle Creations Focus on Fall Blog Tour Schedule

October 13- Kick off Post by Blogs Like A Mother
October 15- Handmade Boy
October 18- Snickerdoodle Stew
October 19- The Sewing Sparrow
October 21- Babyfish Designs
October 22- FABulous Home-Sewn
October 23- Gracious Threads
October 24- Wrap Up Post by Blogs Like A Mother

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Orange Skinnies and a Marc Shirt

So...
This post is rather exciting for me!
Rather, I was excited when I received the orange denim in my mailbox...
And, I'm super excited with the results!
 
 
Canadian National Fabric is a new-to-me shop which I found as I was looking for Canadian shops that sell Art Gallery Fabrics. (Yes, those are some of my favourite!)
But, when I saw their selection, prices, and shipping costs within Canada, I knew they'd be a go-to shop for me! Seriously--$3.50 shipping and over $50 shipped free?!
 
Anyway, I talked to them, and they sent me some fabric to try out and share with you all what I thought of it. I must admit, I ordered more from them and you'll be seeing their fabric pop up on the blog more frequently, I'm sure.
 
So, the first thing I sewed up was these jeans.

 
They're bright, they're fall-ish, and they are soft yet sturdy.
I wish I could wear them.
But, they're for my youngest son.
And, I'll just have to be content to admire them on him.

 
The pattern I used is Peek-a-Boo's Skinny Jeans (affiliate link).
I sewed up the size 2, made an adjustable waistband for my super tiny 2.5 year old, and did the top stitching in a contrasting blue.
The jeans sewed up very nice and relatively quick.
 
To make a complete outfit for Sunday, I whipped up the Marc Shirt from Filles a Maman.

 
The blue fabric in the shirt is also from Canadian National Fabric, which I ordered from them myself.
I used it for the shirt but also for the pocket lining on the jeans.
The knit fabric is from Girl Charlee (referral link).
And, the snaps are Kam Snaps.

 
As is usual with Mel's patterns, the Marc Shirt sewed up great and the sizing is quite accurate!
My son is quite petite, so even the smaller sizes are a bit big on him, but that's to be expected.
My hope is that he'll actually grow enough to fit into it this year.

 
And, because I had a very willing model who wanted to go stand by every tree, I have some more cute pictures to share!


Watching the neighbour's tractor and machinery go by.
Definitely a boy!
A huge thank-you to Bebe over at Canadian National Fabric for the great fabric!
 
Make sure to stop by there and have a look around--their prices and shipping are AMAZING!
 


Saturday, October 11, 2014

Fat Quarter Competition--Please Vote!

One Thimble has a Fat Quarter Competition going on right now!
Well, the entries have all been received and it's up to you who wins the People's Choice Award!
 
I thought it'd be fun to join in and I whipped up a cute little Pleated Coin Pouch.
I have ideas for a tutorial that would include instructions to make it with either gathered, measured pleats, and the pictured random pleats.
 
Here is the write-up I included in my entry:
This Pleated Coin Purse is super quick to sew up--making it perfect to whip a number of them for your friends, for party favors, etc.! It features a randomly pleated center panel and a zipper with the ends covered to add to the finished look. Not only that but it is fully lined! The finished measurements are about 4.25"x 3.25"--a great size to slip into your purse or diaper bag to hold the many coins that can collect. Or, you could even use it to hold a small amount of 'emergency' make-up! Little girls can hide their treasures in it--hair clips/elastics, small toys and more!
 
http://www.onethimble.com.au/blog/peoples-choice-awards-fat-quarter-competition
 
Hop over and vote for your favourite!
I'd of course love if you could vote for mine :)
 
And, if you are a Canadian reading my blog--Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!!!

Friday, October 10, 2014

Saucy Skirt and Flyaway Ruffle Cardi--a Pattern Test

When I got to test April's newest patterns from Dandelions 'n Dungarees, I was rather excited.
They fit perfectly with my goal of sewing all my kids some fall/winter Sunday clothes.
 
 
 
I really like how it turned out. Instead of the knit fabric ruffles that were shown in the tutorial, I gave it a try with some ready made eyelet lace that I got from a friend.
 
 
The body of the Cardi I made with a nice ponte knit from Girl Charlee (referral link).
It's left over from my husband's Newcastle Cardigan.
 
The finishing of the neckline looks so professional with some bias tape.
And, I love the look of the one button closure.
 

For the skirt, I used some of the left over cotton-spandex fabric from my Color Block Dress which is also from Girl Charlee.  
It has options for a single layered skirt, a double layered skirt and a double layered skirt with a super cute tie.
I couldn't resist the tie.

 
To finish off the look, I whipped up a pair comfy ponte knit version of Go-To Leggings. (affiliate link)



And, a Sunday outfit for my youngest daughter.
 

 
Yep.
All ready for Church.
 
 
Hop over and get the bundle for $9 for a limited time.
Or get the skirt or the cardi separately for $5 each.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Blog Tour--Day 7

For the final day we again have two great bloggers!
Ula from Lulu & Celeste and Sara from Made-by-Sara.
 
"Ula loves sewing and creating things for (and with) her two little girls, aged 4 and 1. She's tried almost every craft at least once, but her favourite hobbies are sewing and photography so when she's not cleaning up spills or chasing the kids around the backyard you'll probably find her at her sewing machine or behind the camera lens."
 
Hop on over to Lulu & Celeste to see the cute purse she whipped up using the Perfect Petal Purse Pattern!
 
http://luluandceleste.blogspot.com/2014/09/perfect-petal-purse-review.html
 
Hi! I am Sara and I love sewing. I sew mostly for my three kids and sometimes for myself. My little Mr. is turning 7 in just a couple of days (he is growing too fast...) so I was thrilled to join all the Pirates wallet tour fun and make one for him. Hop over to Made by Sara to see more!
 
You can hop over here to see what Sara has done with the Pirate's Treasure Wallet Pattern!
 
http://made-by-sara.blogspot.com/2014/09/a-wallet-for-little-mr.html
 
Make sure to enter the Giveaway:
 
 
Check out what some other bloggers have done:

September 28

Nosy Pepper

September 29

From a Box

Gracious Threads

September 30

Project Destash

October 1

Filles a Maman

October 2

Sew Very

October 3

Friends Stitched Together

Secretly Stitching

October 4

Lulu and Celeste

Made By Sara

Friday, October 3, 2014

Blog Tour--Day 6

Today we have two fabulous bloggers!
Tasha from Friends Stitched Together and a blogging friend from Greece--Mara from Secretly Stitching!
They've both stitched up the Pirate's Treasure Wallet Pattern!
 
"Hi everyone! I'm Tasha, one half of the fabulous duo over at Friends Stitched Together. My best friend and I have been sewing for ourselves and our kids for a combined total of over 30 years! We of course are young spring chickens who just love to sew for our baby and toddler chicks! We slowly are dipping our feet into making our own patterns, but until then we love sewing up a variety of things for the home, the family, and for others! We are half of the genius brain behind the new sensation everyone is talking about CraftingCon (if they haven't been talking about it, they are now!) My bubbly 4 year old son and sassy 1 year old daughter keep me on my toes and make running off to the sewing room difficult, but when I make them something and see how much they love it, it makes all the chaos worth it!" 
 
Hop on over to Friends Stitched Together to see what Tasha did with the Pirate's Treasure Wallet Pattern!
 
http://friendsstitchedtogether.com/pirates-treasure-wallet-blog-tour/
 
 
"My name is Mara, I am an American girl living in Greece with my Greek husband and we have 2 children.  I started sewing 2 years ago and have just now realized that I like to sew the small stuff that stitches up fast, bags, clothes for the kids, love adding embroidery to just about everything."
 
Mara sewed up both the Perfect Petal Purse Pattern and the Pirate's Treasure Wallet Pattern--hop over to have a look!
 
http://secretlystitching.blogspot.gr/2014/09/fhs-patterns-and-giveaway.html
 
 
Make sure to enter the Giveaway:
 
 
Check out what some other bloggers have done:

September 28

Nosy Pepper

September 29

From a Box

Gracious Threads

September 30

Project Destash

October 1

Filles a Maman

October 2

Sew Very

October 3

Friends Stitched Together

Secretly Stitching

October 4

Lulu and Celeste

Made By Sara



Thursday, October 2, 2014

Blog Tour--Day 5

Today I'm welcoming Veronica from Sew Very!
Veronica has sewn up both the Perfect Petal Purse Pattern and the Pirate's Treasure Wallet Pattern!
 
"Hi, everyone!  I'm Veronica, and I love to sew! You know what I mean? It's a passion I share on my blog, sewVery, where I write pattern reviews and show all the outfits I make my daughter as well as purses and other sewing and crafty projects that I put together. Plus, I recently opened a pattern shop to sell my own designs. Please come by the blog and shop for a visit and be sure to to check out my list of FREE tutorials! See you soon!"
 
http://sewvery.blogspot.com/2014/10/perfect-petal-purse-pirates-treasure.html

http://sewvery.blogspot.com/2014/10/perfect-petal-purse-pirates-treasure.html
 
 Hop over to her blog post here to see what she did with both patterns!
 
Make sure to enter the Giveaway:
 
 
Check out what some other bloggers have done:

September 28

Nosy Pepper

September 29

From a Box

Gracious Threads

September 30

Project Destash

October 1

Filles a Maman

October 2

Sew Very

October 3

Friends Stitched Together

Secretly Stitching

October 4

Lulu and Celeste

Made By Sara